Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said cyclonic storm Ockhi was likely to move in the northeasterly direction and gradually weaken.

"The cyclonic storm has moved away from the Lakshadweep islands and is now about 1,000 km Southwest of Surat. The system is likely to move in the northeasterly direction and gradually weaken," the minister said, in a press statement.

Expressing concern over the missing fishermen, the union minister said the rescue operations were in full swing by the coast guard and the Indian Navy and that the fishermen would be saved and brought back home very soon.